Apple Releases watchOS 8.5.1 With Security Updates and Bug Fixes

Apple today released watchOS 8.5.1, a minor update to the watchOS 8 operating system that came out in September. watchOS 8.5.1 comes two weeks after the launch of watchOS 8.5.

watchOS 8 on Apple Watch feature
‌‌watchOS ‌8.5.1 can be downloaded for free through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General > Software Update. To install the new software, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery, it needs to be placed on a charger, and it needs to be in range of the ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌iPhone‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌.

According to Apple's release notes for the update, watchOS 8.5.1 adds security updates and bug fixes for the Apple Watch.

Related Roundup: watchOS 26
Related Forum: Apple Watch

Popular Stories

maxresdefault

Apple Shows Off a Key Reason to Upgrade to the iPhone 17

Saturday February 7, 2026 9:26 am PST by
Apple today shared an ad that shows how the upgraded Center Stage front camera on the latest iPhones improves the process of taking a group selfie. "Watch how the new front facing camera on iPhone 17 Pro takes group selfies that automatically expand and rotate as more people come into frame," says Apple. While the ad is focused on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the regular iPhone...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Says These 7 U.S. States Plan to Offer iPhone Driver's Licenses

Monday February 9, 2026 6:24 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. The feature is currently available in 13 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and it is expected to launch in at least seven more in the future. To set up the...
m5 macbook pro deal

Why You Shouldn't Buy the Next MacBook Pro

Tuesday February 10, 2026 4:27 pm PST by
Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models as soon as early March, but if you can, this is one generation you should skip because there's something much better in the works. We're waiting on 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, with few changes other than the processor upgrade. There won't be any tweaks to the design or the display, but later this...
iOS 26

Apple Releases iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3

Wednesday February 11, 2026 10:07 am PST by
Apple today released iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3, the latest updates to the iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 operating systems that came out in September. The new software comes almost two months after Apple released iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. According to Apple's release notes, ...
Apple Logo Zoomed

Apple Expected to Launch These 10+ Products Over the Coming Months

Tuesday February 10, 2026 6:33 am PST by
It has been a slow start to 2026 for Apple product launches, with only a new AirTag and a special Apple Watch band released so far. We are still waiting for MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, the iPhone 17e, a lower-cost MacBook with an iPhone chip, long-rumored updates to the Apple TV and HomePod mini, and much more. Apple is expected to release/update the following products...

Top Rated Comments

51 months ago
Waiting for an option to clear all text message in masse from the watch. The process now is arduous at best.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
51 months ago

Waiting for an option to clear all text message in masse from the watch. The process now is arduous at best.
I’d just be happy if what I delete on my phone mirrored over to the watch. It does for every other device from iPad to Mac… just add this in already.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
51 months ago

Waiting for an option to clear all text message in masse from the watch. The process now is arduous at best.
You might already know this, but the watch only keeps the last 30 days of messages. Because of this, I’ve stopped managing messages on my watch since they’ll eventually get cleared out anyway.

I agree though, there needs to be better syncing with the phone.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
51 months ago
Hopefully this fixes the Series 7 charging issue. I can have my watch on the charger for 3 hours and only go up 10%.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
51 months ago

Waiting for an option to clear all text message in masse from the watch. The process now is arduous at best.
You're being too kind with that description, even using "at best". Least user friendly process I can recall having to use. And coming from a company that managed to make messaging so easy my mom could do it without asking for help tells me that they could make it SO much better.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
51 months ago
I don't see this available.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)